Categories
The Three Realms The Three Realms (Book 6: The Eternal Age of Unity)

3 Realms 6-12

The day after Malnar’s coronation came too quickly for Arsha’s taste. Sadly, she wasn’t in a position to offer Malnar a lift. What made it worse for her was that she knew of Gorfanth staying behind too. She was talking to him before she had to return to the Endeavor. “You’re sure you need to stay?” she asked.

“I know I helped in my home’s reconstruction,” replied Gorfanth, “but Malnar will need help too and I need to learn a few more things about royal life. I can’t exactly do that on the Endeavor. I’m sorry, but I need to stay here.” Arsha sighed.

“I guess I’ll see you later,” she mumbled. Gorfanth then took her into his embrace. They hugged for a good minute. Just then, Malnar found them.

“Can I get in on this?” she called. Arsha and Gorfanth saw her, then they opened the embrace to let Malnar in. She joined and smiled. “…I’m gonna miss you, Foxy,” she mumbled.

“I’ll miss you both, Bonfire, Hooves,” replied Arsha. They all sighed with a mix of happiness and longing. The hug then ended and Malnar looked up to Gorfanth.

“I’ve already got my Queen’s Portrait,” said Malnar, “now it’s time for yours.” Gorfanth winced.

“Do I need to?” he asked.

“If I had to suffer through holding a pose for hours on end, so do you.” Arsha laughed a bit at Malnar’s teasing.

“Very well,” muttered Gorfanth. Arsha stepped back, holding their hands for as long as possible.

“Goodbye, Malnar and Gorfanth,” she said. “I’ll see you soon!”

“Goodbye, Arsha,” bid Malnar and Gorfanth together. Their fingers finally slid off hers. Arsha turned quickly so she wouldn’t be tempted to stay forever. She still had assignments for Realmfleet.


Arsha returned to the ship, a little saddened and eagerly awaiting the next time she would see her Under-realm lovers again. Lardeth, Foresna, and Falnii were waiting by the landing ramp. They saw her face and hugged her. “We miss them already,” sighed Lardeth.

“And then you have your own coronation,” muttered Arsha. “Then you and Falnii will be leaving us.”

“We’ll come back to you when you’re Queen,” assured Falnii. “Our separation will only be temporary.”

“She’s right,” agreed Foresna. “You and I will still be together.” Arsha chuckled.

“Yeah, I do have you for the entire trip.” She then recentered her thoughts. “For now, we need to leave for the Drelda Forest. I’ll be on the bridge.” Arsha ended the hug and headed to the bridge.


She sat in the Captain’s Chair and looked around at her bridge crew, smiling at how they displayed courage during the Final War both when she was on the bridge and when she was absent. She then looked to Shalvey. “Ms. Shalvey, what’s the word?” she asked.

“We’re cleared to leave the Citadel,” reported Shalvey. “We can go on your order.”

“Mr. Nazay, set course for the Under-to-Over Realmgate, then take us to the Drelda Forest’s Capital Tree,” ordered Arsha.

“Course laid in,” reported Nazay.

“Nice and easy.”


The Endeavor fired up its engines and rose into the air, retracting its landing struts and raising its landing ramp. It went higher and higher, then turned southwards to the Realmgate floating above Realmgate City once again.


Malnar and Gorfanth saw the ship depart from the landing pad and waved goodbye until they lost sight of it. Malnar then rubbed her arm. Gorfanth saw this and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “We’ll see them again,” he promised. “We’ve lost Arsha once and she came back to us all. This will be nothing compared to what Oyed did to us.”

“It’s because of what he did that makes me miss her even more,” mumbled Malnar. “After he hurt her, I was about ready to fall into despair without her. I know you and the others were in the same boat, but still…”

“Well, this time, Oyed’s not part of the equation. We know she’s in perfect health and we’ll see her again once she is crowned Queen and Foresna learns of his future duties.” Malnar nodded, then a wicked grin crossed her face.

“Speaking of a consort’s future duties as King, there’s something we need to get out of the way.” Gorfanth arched an eyeridge.

“And that is?”

“Well…how did Daddy put it…society wants us to start our reign looking good.” Gorfanth got the hint, and a look of panic crossed his snout.

“Wait a minute-!” he gulped.

“Come on, Hooves, if I needed to suffer through a portrait sitting, so do you!”

“But I’m not King yet!”

“I wasn’t exactly Queen when I had mine done! Come on, Hooves!” Malnar grabbed one of the ends of his belt and led him away. Gorfanth didn’t resist. There was no point to it.


Arsha sat in her ready room as the ship traveled through the Realmgate Vortex. She lightly stroked her desk as if it were a pet, her thoughts looking towards the future. The door chime then rang. “Come in,” she called. Bashoon then came in.

“You wanted to see me, Captain?” she asked.

“I did, Bashoon. Tell me, why did you turn down Penshek’s offer of being his Secretary of Goblin Finances?”

“…I saw no real growth in that position. I have a bit of a wanderlust, and that position won’t satisfy it. I was thinking that, after Realmfleet, I’d be a Freelance Captain. The Realm Freelance Board’s always looking for experienced officers.”

“You’ll need training in that regard,” remarked Arsha. “You see, I called you in for a reason. You know that, once our Drelda mission’s done and Lardeth’s crowned, I have one last mission in the Mid-realm? In Largandra, no less? Once the Largandra mission’s done, I’m having my Tour’s End Ceremony. I have been thinking hard about who would take my place…and I can think of no better person than you, Bashoon Barmek.”

“…ME?!” yelped Bashoon as the weight of Arsha’s declaration sunk in. “You want ME to-?!”

“I only have a few of the bridge crew remaining once the Largandra mission’s done,” explained Arsha. “Denstra and her spouses will leave, Shalvey and Thangred will be getting married and moving to Varshenta Beach, Dalengor’s gonna move to Rokanth and find someone, Nazay’s heading back to the Regatim Oasis to marry Merrim, Elmar already left us, and Thengo’s gonna be establishing a counseling practice here. Now, Anya’s gonna be taking Thengo’s place and she’ll be marrying Malak, Laverda’s staying behind, Falnimam will be coming to the Mid-realm to marry Melandra and move onto the ship with him and he’ll be the new Chief Engineer, Orthena’s still the Chief Science Officer, Endea’s staying, and Marshii will be CMO for a little while longer.”

“I heard about Denstra and her spouses leaving,” replied Bashoon. “Dad was cussing up a storm when Jaltor told him the news. And I kind of figured Endea would stay. I mean, she IS the Endeavor. …In fact, if it’s possible, I WOULD like to make her my First Officer.”

“Well, the successor DOES have the right to choose their First Officer. I think she’d make an excellent one for you. Now, I still need to work with Rokalla to write the Commission Letters for the new Bridge Crew.”

“Understood. Thank you for the opportunity, Captain. Let me tell you, you’re gonna be leaving big shoes to fill.”

“I think you’ll fill them nicely in peacetime.”

“In the meantime, I still have a few odd jobs to do.”

“All right then, I’ll let you go. Dismissed.” Bashoon saluted and smiled, then left the room. Arsha smiled happily. “Bashoon Barmek, you’re gonna go far!” she said to herself.

Categories
Standalones TTR

Gorfanth Poster

Did you know that Arsha and her lovers are in the habit of collecting posters of themselves and their lovers? They’re really attached to one another.

Categories
Standalones TTR

Gorfanth and his Family’s Craft

While Gorfanth is, as of this portrait, a royal consort, he’s still a blacksmith at heart.

Categories
Standalones TTR

Malnar Poster

Might as well upload it here. It’s gonna be used for future Malnar related eyecatches.

Categories
Standalones TTR

Malnar and the Backbone of her Realm

Malnar Emboramii has proven to be a Queen of great wisdom and power. She always strives for fairness when someone is wronged and will defend her home by any means. With the mountain range that make up the natural walls of the Belsnath Citadel, she can’t go wrong. All hail Queen Malnar Emboramii!

Categories
The Three Realms The Three Realms (Book 6: The Eternal Age of Unity)

3 Realms 6-11

The day finally came. Malnar was in front of the throne room doors, vaguely hearing her future subjects chattering amongst themselves. She flapped her hands in nervousness, then took in a breath and steeled herself. The doors opened to reveal all the Under-realm Delegations lining an aisle to the throne. Sitting in his wheelchair on the throne’s right was Orbak with Elmpam standing behind him. On the throne’s left was the priest with Malnar’s lovers standing by him. One look at her future spouses and Malnar’s confidence increased. She walked down the aisle with strength and pride. Once she was in front of the throne, she stood by Orbak. Orbak began his speech. “My beloved subjects,” he called, “my Queen and I cannot express our pride in you enough. We have all suffered greatly in the Final War. It was an honor to have you all at our side as we fought against evil, and we give the highest of praises to those that resisted the Trinnies while we were separated from you all.”

“Sadly,” called Elmpam, “the time has come for us to step aside for a new Under-monarch. We take great pleasure in abdicating in favor of our daughter, Malnar. She has proven that she can command through both her tour of duty and her actions in the Final War. I can think of no greater woman to be our Under-Queen.”

“Malnar, kneel,” said Orbak. Malnar knelt in front of Orbak. He handed her the scepter he was known for carrying. “Rise and take the Crown,” said Orbak. “Let those that came before you judge your heart.” Malnar rose as Orbak handed the Crown on his head to Elmpam. Elmpam then put the Crown on Malnar’s head. Malnar then felt a pain in her head, the Crown examining her brain.

“Malnar!” called Arsha. She was about to dash to her aid, but the priest held her back.

“This is something a Ruler must do on their own,” he said. “If any of us interfere or if she calls for help before five minutes are up, she will forfeit her claim to the throne.” Arsha and her lovers looked at Malnar in worry. Malnar grit her teeth and muscled through the pain. Soon, it faded and lessened…then it stopped. Orbak smiled.

“The five minutes are up,” he said as he handed her a headache potion.

“Thank you,” she panted. She drank the potion, gagged at the taste, then handed the empty phial back to Orbak before turning to the priest as he held the Codex out. She placed her left hand on the cover and raised her right hand.

“I, Malnar Emboramii, do solemnly swear,” began the Priest.

“I, Malnar Emboramii, do solemnly swear,” repeated Malnar.

“That I will execute my duties as Queen of the Under-realm faithfully.”

“That I will execute my duties as Queen of the Under-realm faithfully.”

“I will uphold the laws and dreams of my people.”

“I will uphold the laws and dreams of my people.”

“I will care for those that are in dire straits.”

“I will care for those that are in dire straits.”

“With the help of the now Mortal Divine Ones, I will not let evil corrupt my judgement.”

“With the help of the now Mortal Divine Ones, I will not let evil corrupt my judgement.”

“If necessary (and I personally hope it never will be in this Age),” even Malnar had to silently agree with that, “I will give my life to save my people, should disaster strike.”

“If necessary, I will give my life to save my people, should disaster strike.”

“I hereby pronounce you Queen of the Under-realm!” he called. Malnar sat on the throne. The priest then turned to the crowd. “Now is the time for the Rulers of the Under-realm to pledge your swords to your Queen!” The Rulers entered the aisle and lined up. They knelt and drew their sword, pointing it to the sky while declaring their service to Malnar. The oaths went like so:

“I, Queen Calandra Narven of the Galdredan Lava Kingdom, do hereby pledge my service and sword to you, Queen Malnar.”

“I, King Alnedar Yerudii of the Morgonthor Trench, do hereby pledge my service and sword to you, Queen Malnar.”

“I, Queen Yurmar Hanthuu of Crelima City, do hereby pledge my service and sword to you, Queen Malnar.” Because of her throat injury, she had to say her pledge in Under-realm Sign Language.

“I, King Esirat of Frigandor, do hereby pledge my service and sword to you, Queen Malnar.”

“I, King Enrel Wenshar of the Actanila Mega-shark Grounds, do hereby pledge my service and sword to you, Queen Malnar.”

“I, Queen Landuii Altror of the Calnthor Merfolk Kingdom, do hereby pledge my service and sword to you, Queen Malnar.”

“I, Queen Endomu Gokurah of the Greshkagh Mountains, do hereby pledge my service and sword to you, Queen Malnar.”

“I, King Endormak Tothen of the Grilthan Forest, do hereby pledge my service and sword to you, Queen Malnar.”

“I, High Priestess Torunath Lundalii of the Haldebor Drider Caves, do hereby pledge my service and sword to you, Queen Malnar.”

“I, Queen Rutalmer Worodai of Realmgate City, do hereby pledge my service and sword to you, Queen Malnar.”

“I, Lord Tomugath Varsek of Falgreth, do hereby pledge my service and sword to you, Queen Malnar.”

“I, Chancellor Penshek Tolshoon of Dwelga, do hereby pledge my service and sword to you, Queen Malnar.”

“I, High Priestess Tanta Kalokat of te Tunatel Trow Cafs, do hereby plesh my serfis and swort to you, Queen Malnar.”

“I, General Dotan Mergotal of the Umbrax Kingdom, do hereby pledge my service and sword to you, Queen Malnar.” Once everyone had made their pledges, they sat back in their seats as Malnar looked over everyone.

“We’ve gone through torture,” she began, “there are no two ways around that. We’ve all lost so much, but we are rebuilding. Why? Because nothing keeps the Under-realm down for long! We bounce back, no matter the damage! We get ourselves to a new normal quicker than the other Realms, if Arsha and my other Out-realmer lovers will pardon the Under-realm pride.” Arsha and her lovers chuckled. “I’m about to do something I don’t think my predecessors, even my parents, ever did; I pledge my sword and service to the Under-realm and her people. Now, the war we’re still rebuilding from was always called the FINAL War. Let’s do whatever we can to make sure we all don’t need to call upon our swords and simply ask for one another’s service. To the Under-realm!”

“To the Under-realm!” called Orbak.

“TO THE UNDER-REALM!” repeated the crowd.

“Hip hip!”

“HUZZAH!”

“Hip hip!”

“HUZZAH!”

“Hip hip!”

“HUZZAH!”

“Ones save the Queen!”

“ONES SAVE THE QUEEN!”

Categories
The Three Realms The Three Realms (Book 6: The Eternal Age of Unity)

3 Realms 6-10

The Endeavor arrived at the Belsnath Citadel and Malnar led her lovers to the throne room. Orbak and Elmpam met them there. “Here she is!” called Elmpam. She gave Malnar a hug from all her arms.

“My daughter, all grown up!” chuckled Orbak. Once Elmpam broke off the hug, Orbak pulled something out of a pouch. It was a gold collar choker with pearls laid onto it. “This was your mother’s choker,” explained Orbak. “She wanted you to at least wear it for your portrait.” Malnar then drew in a breath.

“That’s right, my Royal Portrait!” she groaned.

“Dull as all get out!” agreed Lardeth.

“That’s the Honest-to-Ones truth,” said Arsha. Malnar and Lardeth goggled at her.

“Whenever we have a portrait together,” remarked Lardeth, “the artist doesn’t say so much to you about trying to look happy!”

“That’s because I’m thinking about something else,” explained Arsha, “something much more enjoyable than the tedium of sitting for hours on end while a painter tries to capture my likeness.”

“I know that’s not one of your favorite things of royal life,” remarked Orbak, “but it IS necessary for us. Society wants us to start our reign looking good.” Malnar grumbled but conceded that he was right.

“Oh well, at least it lets me update my wardrobe,” she said. She then got an idea. “Do you think the Royal Painter could do a portrait of me on the south tower’s balcony looking out?”


“Why?” asked the Royal Painter, a Stone Dragon woman.

“Well, I want my kingdom to be in the shot,” explained Malnar. “It would be nice to have the backbone of my Realm be included.”

“I mean, I CAN do it, if you’re certain that’s what you want.”

“I DO want it.”

“In that case, all I need from you is your outfit and when you want to start.”


As Malnar spent the day looking at dresses, Arsha and the rest of her lovers looked over a history book in the library. This one was talking about a Ring of Power and a Magic Sword. Long ago, when such items were numerous, Intrag ordered their creation, using a Shadow Dragon’s fang to construct the sword and treasure from the Drows’ vaults to make the ring. “Look at this,” said Arsha as she pointed out the Ring. The illustration showed it as a golden ring carved to look like a Drow Priestess with rubies for her eyes, charging a great spell, centered around Beginnings and represented by a pearl. Arsha read the text describing it. “‘The Ring of Nal-Mahar was forged within the workshops of the old Drow fortress. Legend has it that the Ring can make the wearer pass into the Invisible After-realm. By rights, the Ring belonged to Nal-Mahar, the Drow High Priestess, but the Drows were lost to time before the Ring was returned to them. It is believed that the Ring would have brought prosperity to the Drows.’”

“Into the After-realm?” shuddered Lardeth. “I’d rather stay away from that until I’m dead.”

“You know, if the Ring is still in the Emboramiis’ possession,” mused Falnii, “maybe Malnar should give it to Tanta.”

“And give the sword back to the Shadow Dragons,” muttered Gorfanth. He pointed out the illustration of the sword he was talking about. The hilt looked like a Shadow Dragon in flight. Its jaws were open and made up the cross-guard while the blade looked like its tongue. “This one’s public knowledge; Thantauglamir, the Shadow Tongue That Slays Evil. Intrag had a Shadow Dragon in his service. He promised to make the Shadow Dragon the new leader of his people but needed a symbol of office for him. The Shadow Dragon tore his fang out and gave it to Intrag. Intrag had his mages and blacksmiths forge a sword out of it and imbue it with spells that targeted only evil beings. When the Shadow Dragon saw the completed sword, he asked for it and leadership of his people. Intrag refused, calling him too evil to wield the sword in his Realm. When Intrag tried to touch the sword, however, the handle burned his hand. The Shadow Dragon took that as his que to take the sword and wrest control of the Under-realm from Intrag. He successfully grabbed the sword without pain and dueled with Intrag. Before the Shadow Dragon could deliver the killing blow, Intrag’s Black Captains burst into the throne room and defended their King, slaying the Shadow Dragon and locking the sword away in the Emboramii Family’s vaults.” Arsha whistled.

“You know, the Mid-realm’s got artefacts of similar nature concerning the Sphinxes and Manticores,” she recalled.

“As does the Over-realm with the Gryphons and Gorgons,” said Lardeth. The doors to the library then opened, revealing one of the maids leading Tanta and Dotan into it.

“Her Highness will be with you shortly,” the maid said to the Drow and Shadow Dragon. “Please wait here.”

“Tank you,” bid Tanta. The maid bowed before leaving. Tanta and Dotan then noticed Arsha and her lovers. “You are Malnar’s lofers, yes?” asked Tanta.

“We are,” confirmed Arsha. “Princess Arsha Royana, at your service.”

“Ah, yes, Dalengor’s best friend,” recalled Dotan.

“She was fery goot in freeink us from Oyet’s service,” purred Tanta.

“As were you,” supplied Dotan.

“Thank you, my Lord and Lady,” replied Arsha.

“Forgive me for saying this,” called Falnii, “but Malnar’s coronation is ten days away. What brings you two here?”

“Malnar sait tat she has gifts for us,” explained Tanta. “We ton’t know why she would want to gif us sometink.”

“Perhaps to acknowledge your part in ending the Final War?” guessed Gorfanth.

“Exactly,” called Malnar’s voice. She entered the library in a new dress and hairpiece, wearing her mother’s choker and carrying a sword slung behind her back with something in her hand.

“Hello, Queen Malnar!” purred Foresna and Arsha together.

“Still a Princess right now,” replied Malnar. She then turned to Tanta and Dotan. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”

“I must atmit confusion,” remarked Tanta. “Why gif us sometink?”

“Because you two already own these things by all rights,” explained Malnar. She opened her hand to reveal a ring. Tanta and Malnar’s lovers gasped as they recognized it.

“Te Rink of Nal-Mahar!” yelped Tanta. “But why-?!”

“It was forged from treasure stolen from Nal-Mahar’s vaults, yes?” asked Malnar. “And Nal-Mahar was your first ancestor, right? Therefore, this ring is yours. And General Dotan, this sword is yours.” She took the sword and sheath off her back and handed it to Dotan.

“Thantauglamir!” he whispered as he recognized the design of the hilt.

“I have a feeling it won’t burn you,” mused Malnar. Tanta and Dotan stared at their respective artefacts, then cautiously took them. Tanta slipped the Ring on her finger and Dotan slung Thantauglamir and its sheath onto his back. He drew it and looked at the blade, marveling at how well maintained it was and registering a comforting warmth from the handle. He sheathed it and knelt at Malnar. Tanta looked at the Ring, moving her hand to see how it looked on her finger, smiled, then knelt as Dotan did.

“Malnar Emboramii,” she said, “I name you Trow frient and blest. My life is at your commant.”

“I name you Shadow Dragon friend and blessed,” supplied Dotan. “My life is at your command.”

“Thank you, both of you,” replied Malnar. The two Leaders then left the library to give their delegation the news. Malnar sighed. “That’s that out of the way, now I gotta spend tomorrow morning for the portrait!”

“It’s gonna look great!” Arsha said in reassurance. Malnar smiled.

“Given the Royal Painter’s talent, yeah, it will.”